These Presidential historical materials are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (44 U.S.C. 2111 note), and implementing regulations. In accordance with the act and regulations, archivists reviewed the file group to identify private or personal as well as non-historical items. Such items, if found, have been withdrawn for return to the individual with primary proprietary or commemorative interest in them.

Materials covered by this act have been archivally processed and are described in this finding aid. Items that are security classified or otherwise restricted under the act and regulations have been removed and placed in a closed file. A Document Withdrawal Record (NA Form 14021) has been placed in the front of each folder describing each withdrawn item. Employees of the National Archives will review periodically the unclassified portions of closed materials for the purpose of opening those which no longer require restrictions. Classified documents may be reviewed for declassification under authority of Executive Order 13526 in response to Mandatory Review Request (NA Form 14020) submitted by the researcher.

Organization Information

The American National Red Cross is chartered under the Act of Congress approved January 5, 1903 (33 stat. 599, as amended; 36 U.S.C. 1) pursuant to the treaties of Geneva or the treaties of the Red Cross to which the United States is a party.

A 50-member Board of Governors directs the activities of the American Red Cross. Thirty are elected by the local chapters; eight, including the chairman, are appointed by the President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman; and 12 are elected as member-at-large by the Board. The chairman, a volunteer, is the principal officer of the corporation. The President is the chief executive officer.

The American Red Cross is the instrument chosen by the Congress to help carry out the obligations assumed by the United States under certain international treaties known as the Geneva or Red Cross Conventions. Specifically, its Congressional charter imposes on the American Red Cross the duties to act as the medium of voluntary relief and communication between the American people and their Armed Forces, and to carry on a system of national and international relief to prevent and mitigate suffering caused by disasters.

The human and material resources of the Red Cross are directed to the alleviation of suffering and the improvement of the quality of life through programs that are addressed to critical priority problems of the day.

Nationally and locally the American Red Cross is governed by volunteers, most of its duties are performed by volunteer and it is largely financed by voluntary contributions.

Scope and Content Note

The records consist of correspondence, press releases and annual reports. Primary correspondents include the President, Charles B. Wilkinson, Hugh W. Sloan, Robert H. Finch, Daniel T. Kingsley, Roland L. Elliott, Melvin R. Laird, Dwight L. Chapin, David R. Gergen, and other members of the White House staff and members of the American National Red Cross, E. Roland Harriman, George M. Elesy, Frank Stanton and James F. Collins. Topics include such items as Serving and Involving the Community; Volunteer Activities; Safety Programs; International Relations; Red Cross Youth; Water Safety; Disasters; and Blood Symposium.